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DENVER -- After more than two hours of testimony Tuesday, Republicans in the General Assembly killed a bill that would have allowed cyclists to go through stop signs without stopping and yielding at red lights.

The vote was 3-2 and went down on party lines.

"This bill is about safety," Sen. Andy Kerr, D-Lakewood, said before the meeting. "This is something the state of Idaho has done successfully for decades."

The measure has become known nationally as the "Idaho Stop." It allows cyclists to go through red lights and stop signs if there is no traffic in the area.

Avid cyclists in Denver said eliminating time cyclists spend stopping at an intersection increases safety. Stopping at intersections is widely considered the most dangerous part of a ride.

"Especially for new cyclists. They are having to stop and then get back up to speed -- that is when they are the least stable," said Phillip Brown, an employee of Elevation Cycles.